Calcutta High Court transfers probe into RG Kar Hospital financial irregularities case to CBI

The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a resident doctor was recently found dead after being raped [Akhtar Ali v. The State of West Bengal & Ors.]..The probe into the rape and murder case is already being investigated by the CBI on orders by a Chief Justice-led Bench of the High Court. Today, Justice Rajarshi Bhardwaj directed the CBI to handle the probe into the alleged financial irregularities at the hospital as well. Accordingly, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was constituted earlier by the West Bengal government to probe these alleged irregularities has been asked to hand over the case diary as well as the CCTV footage of the hospital to the CBI. "The investigation should not be fragmented between different agencies. Handing over the investigation to the CBI ensures consistency. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is directed to hand over the Case Diary, other records, CCTV footages, statements, if any and all material and matters concerning the case to the C.B.I. by 10:00 A.M. tomorrow," Justice Bhardwaj ordered. Any other information that is relevant to the case shall be provided by the SIT to the CBI, the single-judge added.The Court has asked the CBI to file a report within three weeks and will hear the matter next on September 17..The Court was hearing a plea filed by Akhtar Ali, the former Deputy Superintendent at RG Kar Hospital, alleging serious illegalities committed by RG Kar's former Principal, Dr Sandip Ghosh. Today, the Court dismissed the plea by Ghosh to be impleaded as a party in the matter.Akhtar had also requested police protection, stating that his complaints against Ghosh put his life in danger. In response to this, the Court observed,"No grave situation has taken place that calls for protection of the petitioner from the State. However, if the need arises, leave is granted to him to approach the appropriate authority for personal protection.".On August 13, another Bench of the High Court had called for a CBI probe into the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar hospital on August 9..The then-principal of the hospital, Dr. Sandip Ghosh has come under the scanner after the incident, which sparked nationwide outrage and protests. Ghosh later stepped down from the post but was immediately made Principal of another college.The Chief Justice-led Bench of the Calcutta High Court had earlier criticised the State's decision to "reward" Ghosh, with a new post hours after he resigned amid allegations that he engaged in victim-blaming..[Read Order]